ZAGREB, 19 Dec (Hina) - Croatia and the Holy See on Thursday signed three agreements regulating their relations.
ZAGREB, 19 Dec (Hina) - Croatia and the Holy See on Thursday signed
three agreements regulating their relations. #L#
The two sides signed agreements on legal issues, cooperation
in the area of education and culture and an agreement on the
spiritual charge of Catholic believers, members of Croatian army
and police forces.
The agreements regulate overall relations between Croatia and
the Holy See and define the status of the Catholic church in
Croatia.
The agreements were signed in the Presidential Court by Vice
Premier Jure Radic and the Apostolic Nuncio in Croatia Msgr. Giulio
Einaudi. The signing ceremony was attended by Croatian President
Franjo Tudjman and the Papal Church Academy President, Msgr.
Gabriele Montalva.
In his statement after the singing of the documents, Vice
Premier Radic said that the agreements 'regulate relations between
Croatia and the Holy See in a modern way'.
Croatia was the first of former Communist countries to
strengthen its relations with the Holy See by signing such
agreements.
Radic expressed hope that the documents would 'contribute to
the well-being of the Croat people and further strengthening of
ties between Croatia and Holy Father'.
The agreements contain 'all elements which have the power to
give an incentive to fruitful cooperation and harmonious growth of
good relations which already exist between the State and the Church
in Croatia', Msgr. Einaudi said.
The Archbishop of Zagreb and President of the Croatian
Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Franjo Kuharic told the Croatian news
agency Hina that the agreements 'define the status of the church in
Croatia to the greatest part', since they 'recognize its legal
individuality' as a whole, as well as the legal individuality of
its institutions.
Cardinal Kuharic especially stressed the importance of
security the Catholic Church in Croatia enjoys thanks to the
international character of the agreements, which cannot be 'revoked
by any decree'.
After the signing of the agreement, President Tudjman and
Msgr. Einaudi stated that the overall relations between the Holy
See and Croatia were 'excellent' and that the signing of the
agreements was another step toward the best understanding between
the two sides.
Since the beginning of the creation of the modern Croatian
state, the Holy See had always had understanding for Croatia, it
was said during the ceremony.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Premier Zlatko
Matesa, Foreign Minister Mate Granic and several other ministers,
House of Counties Vice President Ivan Aralica, Croatian Ambassador
in Vatican, Ive Livljanic, and other high state officials.
The Croatian Bishops' Conference was represented by Cardinal
Franjo Kuharic, Archbishop Msgr. Ante Juric and Bishops Josip
Bozanic, Msgr. Marin Srakic and Msgr. Zelimir Puljic.
(hina) rm jn
191609 MET dec 96